Commentary: Did Carl DeMaio not acknowledge his gay relationship?

My phone and email started exploding when Sunday’s issue of the Union-Tribune came out with the in-depth interview with mayoral candidate and current City Councilman Carl DeMaio. The big question is whether Carl actually told the Union-Tribune he was “single.”

On his Facebook page, Carl says he is “in a relationship.” In fact, two years ago I introduced Carl to his current boyfriend, Johnathan Hale, owner of the publication San Diego Pix and website SDGLN while we were at a gay bar and restaurant in North Park. Carl and Johnathan have even exchanged promise rings which they both wear. They also live happily together in Carl’s beautiful Rancho Bernardo home.

To my knowledge, they have not broken up as Johnathan is Carl’s first real gay love; Carl has told me so. Some question why Carl will hold and kiss Johnathan in public while in Hillcrest, but not so when he is in his conservative Republican city council district. People also ask why Carl did not introduce Hale as his partner during his campaign kickoff. Out lesbian District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis introduced her partner, when she kicked off her mayoral campaign.

I know Carl and Johnathan both deeply love each other and Carl told me he has never been happier. I am glad I introduced them to each other but I do understand all the questions and eyebrow raising. All the other LGBT candidates and office holders have acknowledged and proudly listed the names of their partners in past Union-Tribune interviews. Those proudly acknowledging their partners are Toni Atkins, Chris Kehoe, Todd Gloria and Kevin Beiser. Why didn’t Carl DeMaio?

Did the Union-Tribune editorial board make a mistake? Will Carl correct this false information? I know that Carl is proud that he is gay and he has voted in favor of every LGBT issue that has come before him at the city council. I hope Carl will demand that the Union-Tribune correct this error.

San Diego LGBT Weekly discussed the situation of an LGBT candidate’s partner in a past Message from Our Publisher – which is worth another read.

6 Comments for “Commentary: Did Carl DeMaio not acknowledge his gay relationship?”

Being in a “relationship” is as much information as Carl needs to convey to the community at large. If he chooses not to hold hands with his partner in a questionable situation, that is his business. Let’s face it, Hillcrest exists because many of us aren’t comfortable holding each others hands in Old Town, El Cajon, etc. Stop being such a flamer Nicole.

You missed the point, Will … well, the main point at least. Either Carl has lied about his relationship to the Union-Tribune, or the Union-Tribune printed an error. If Carl is a in a relationship – whatever that relationship is – then he should not hide it.

I don’t think relationships should be a campaign issue in the Mayor’s race. At the same time, I don’t think there should be any misinformation on the issue. This is likely an editorial mistake that the UT made and not a lie told by Councilmember DeMaio.

Of course, as they have told in me in the military, omission can be considered a lie.

Who cares? Legally, he is single. There is no DP and they didn’t marry during the brief marriage period. The real question is why do you think it is anybody’s business?

You liberal, half-commie LGBTs are ready to violate everybody’s privacy just to keep the gravy train going. DeMaio is one of the few politicians who actually cares about getting the govts’s financial house in order. As to why he doesn’t hold hands and kiss his partner in certain spots, perhaps it is because he has something you obviously lack – class.